Walt Disney Studios/Walden Media motion picture, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," opened in theaters nationwide last Friday. A live action adaptation of the best-selling classic by C.S. Lewis, the movie has numerous connections to the Christian music industry.

The film will be unveiled to the Nashville music industry at a special invitation-only screening this evening at a Franklin, Tenn. theater. Many artists, media and industry executives are expected to take part in this special event. Following the screening, Rebecca St. James will co-host a live, hour-long, nationally syndicated radio special that will be broadcast from the theater. She will be joined by radio veteran Wayne Shepherd, for this special about the film's premiere, which is being produced by Renaissance Communications. The special is expected to be carried by several major radio networks, including K-LOVE, WAY-FM, Salem Music Network and HIS Radio Network. A total of more than 75 stations are expected to carry the entire broadcast live with Beliefnet offering Internet coverage, according to a press release. In addition, internationally syndicated "Soul 2 Soul," which is heard on more than 650 outlets in more than 30 countries as well as on 650 outlets in the U.S., will be reporting on the evening's activities. Radio shows "The Weekend 22" and "The Weekend Top 25 Countdown," which are heard in more than 175 markets, will offer listeners coverage and exclusive artists interviews from the film's premiere as well, the release said.

The movie also resulted in a partnership with EMI Music, parent company of EMI CMG, with Walt Disney Studios and Walden Media. Through the partnership, EMI CMG released on Sept. 27 a soundtrack of original songs inspired by the film. The artists who participated on this project included Jeremy Camp, Steven Curtis Chapman, David Crowder Band, Delirious?, Bethany Dillon, Jars of Clay, Kutless, Nichole Nordeman, Rebecca St. James, tobyMac and Chris Tomlin.

EMI CMG Distribution will release Walt Disney Records’ two versions of the soundtrack for the movie to Christian retail on Dec. 13. The Original Soundtrack (below, left) will feature the sweeping orchestral score by composer Harry Gregson-Williams plus four original songs. There also is a Special Edition Soundtrack (below, right) that includes a 40-page collectible souvenir booklet and a DVD. Both soundtracks will be distributed to the general market by EMM, EMI Music’s mainstream distribution channel.